Couchonomics with Arjun

Welcome to a new episode of Couchonomics with Arjun! This week, we're diving into Banking as a Service (BaaS) with Kelvin Tan, CEO of Audax. Kelvin shares insights on Audax’s “bank in a box” solution, helping banks scale and modernize rapidly. We discuss the potential and challenges of BaaS, open banking, and the future of embedded finance. Don't miss this insightful conversation on digi...

Innovation in banking is about more than just adopting new technology—it's about challenging traditional perceptions and rethinking everything from customer service to risk management to create more flexible, responsive, and personalized financial services. In this episode, I sit down with Karan Jain, founder and CEO of Naya One, to discuss how his company is revolutionizing the banking world...

Welcome to the latest episode of Couchonomics with Arjun! In this episode, we have the privilege of hosting Ashraf Sabry, the visionary Founder and CEO of Fawry. Ashraf has transformed Fawry into a trailblazing fintech and one of the most successful startups in Africa.  We covered a range of topics, including innovation in payments,the development of startups in Egypt, Fawry’s diversification stra...

We are talking about Digital Assets, DeFI and Crypto on Couchonomics with Arjun this week. Joining us on the couch is Nick Philpott, Co-Founder and Head of Partnerships at Zodia Markets by Standard Chartered & OSL. We had a very interesting conversation around #bitcoinhalving, #stablecoins, virtual-assets regulations, and tokenization of real-world assets, among other topics. Nick gave us insi...

In this episode of Couchonomics, we tackle the burning question: "Bitcoin in 2024: Boom or Bust?" Join us as we engage in a fascinating conversation with Stefan Kimmel, the CEO of M2, a crypto exchange, and investment platform regulated by the FSRA in Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM). We dive deep into the world of cryptocurrency, exploring the intricate dynamics of Bitcoin, DeFi, and digi...

Welcome to a new episode of Couchonomics with Arjun! Join Arjun as he explores Africa's dynamic startup scene and fintech landscape with Elias Yazbeck, Managing Director at Helios Investment Partners. Discover key insights into Africa's market dynamics, challenges, and future trends in fintech. Elias also shares Helios Investment Partners' strategies and potential seismic shifts in...

Join Arjun on Couchonomics as we explore open banking and fintech in the GCC with Abdulla Almoayed, Founder & CEO of Tarabut. Discover the evolving landscape of financial services, BaaS, and gain insights into open banking. We also delve into Tarabut's inspiration, GCC financial services, managed competition, challenges, and opportunities with open banking, BaaS integration, and accelerat...

In this episode, we delve into the crucial topic of mental health with Scott Armstrong, Founder & CEO of Mentl, a mental health advocacy platform. From workplace challenges to the impact of AI, we explore various facets of mental well-being in today's world. Tune in for insightful discussions on work-life balance, stress management, and more. Don't miss out on this important conversa...

Episode 5 of Season 3 is live now featuring Mounir Nakhla, Founder and CEO of MNT-Halan. Join us as we delve into the journey of MNT-Halan and the Egyptian fintech landscape. From ride-hailing to a financial super app, we cover it all in this insightful episode! Tune in for a glimpse into the world of fintech innovation! #Fintech #MNTHalan #StartupJourney #couchonomics #tech #innovation #newepisod...

🚀 Explore the world of Venture Capital with Khaled Talhouni, Managing Partner at Nuwa Capital, in Episode 4 of Couchonomics with Arjun! We cover topics like the State of Venture Capital in 2023, market dynamics, lessons learned by VCs, challenges and opportunities for women entrepreneurs, and more. Don’t miss this conversation full of invaluable insights. Tune in now! Timestamps: 00:00 - Episode...

Join us for Episode 3 of Couchonomics with Arjun as we explore the UAE's entrepreneurship ecosystem with Professor Ramesh Jagannathan, Managing Director of StartAD. Learn about StartAD's innovative programs, the challenges of entrepreneurship, and the role of women in business. Subscribe for insightful discussions on driving economic growth and global competitiveness in the UAE! #StartAD...

Welcome back to Couchonomics! In line with the theme of rearchitecting the global financial system, this week we explored the banking sector in the UAE and the wider GCC: regulatory focus, financial crime regulation, innovation, and in general, what the banking sector could do differently. Helping us explore these topics, we had the privilege of hosting Raheel Ahmed, CEO of RAKBANK, on our show. D...

 Dive into the future of Fintech with J.K. Khalil, General Manager at MasterCard GCC & Pakistan! Join Arjun and J.K. as they explore the partnership dynamics between fintechs and banks, the game-changing role of governments in innovation, embedded finance, and MasterCard's bold new initiatives! Don't miss out on this strong start to the third season!  #Fintech #Mastercard #fintechinn...

In the season finale of Couchonomics S02, Arjun was joined by David Chaum, inventor of electronic money and privacy technology. As Arjun puts it, David is a “living legend” and one of the most influential architects of our present-day financial systems. David’s work in cryptography and every other he has touched has had a massive impact across the world. So far, his achievements and impact have be...

In the latest episode of Couchonomics, Arjun was joined by Eyad Albayouk, General Manager at Flat6Labs. Eyad comes from a 12-year background focused on alternative investments. This special episode, shot at Fintech Saudi, provided great insight into the state of the fintech startup ecosystem in KSA.  In the episode, Arjun and Eyad discussed:  The nature of Saudi's startup scene The current fu...

In the latest episode of Couchonomics, Arjun was joined by Paul Melotto, Executive Board Member at Alraedah Finance. Paul has played a key part in Arjun's journey to understand the Saudi ecosystem, especially regarding fintech and financial services.  In the episode, Arjun and Paul discussed:  The state of Non-Banked Financial Institutions in KSA The liquidity gap faced by SMEs and how to add...

In the latest episode of Couchonomics, Arjun was joined on the couch by Mehdi Fichtali, CEO & Founder of FinaMaze, MENA's first AI digital wealth manager. Founded by a highly experienced team with decades of track record in capital markets and asset management, their hybrid human/machine teams are currently managing hundreds of portfolios. We spent a fair amount of the episode breaking do...

" We're behind the scenes. We make money move." In the latest episode of Couchonomics, Arjun was joined by Jan Pilbauer, Chief Executive Officer of Al Etihad Payments, a national payments utility and fully owned subsidiary of the Central Bank of the UAE. Al Etihad Payments recently launched Aani, a "payments experience" that allows you to make instant payments to people or...

In today's high-paced corporate world, the importance of wellness cannot be emphasized enough. As firms compete in the war for talent, a new dimension has emerged as a magnet for the modern workforce: wellness. In this episode, we dive deep into this crucial topic with an industry stalwart. Meet Diego Carrete, Chief Wellness Officer at First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB). Beyond his pivotal role at th...

Dive into the vibrant and ever-evolving world of FinTech as we explore the Singapore FinTech Festival (SFF) 2023 which is happening 15-17 November 2023. This is the global event where policy, finance, and technology not only meet but converge to reshape global economies. Joining Arjun for this special episode is Pat Patel, the Executive Director of Elevandi. Having led the International FinTech Of...

Join us on this enlightening episode of Couchonomics as we navigate the intricate world of financial technology, focusing on the evolving landscape of employee benefits on a global scale. We are thrilled to have Michael Watkins, the visionary CEO and Founder of Aurem, a pioneering platform bridging businesses and their global teams to financial services. With a rich history in the financial servic...

Embark on an insightful journey into the heart of the MENA startup ecosystem, where we unravel the intricacies of venture capital trends and the challenges and opportunities ahead. Join Arjun as he sits down with Philip Bahoshy, the CEO of MAGNiTT - the MENA region's formidable connector of startups, investors, and mentors. Philip, with his vast expertise and a pulse on the market, shares a u...

In this enlightening episode of Couchonomics, we delve deep into the revolutionary world of digital wealth management, exploring its innovations, challenges, and future trajectory. We peer into the intricate fabric of asset management, financial literacy, and economic adaptability in an ever-evolving market, all with a lens focusing on the MENA region. Joining Arjun for this riveting discussion is...

Get ready for an exhilarating ride into the future of digital media, commerce, and technology as we dive deep into the world of TikTok! If you ever wondered why TikTok isn't just for dance trends and how it's revolutionizing the content game, then you’re in for a treat. Arjun welcomes a very special guest who plays a crucial role in shaping TikTok's global strategy. Fasten your seat...

In this riveting episode of Couchonomics, we delve deep into the complex world of money exchange, remittance, and financial inclusion. We discuss how technology is changing the landscape while traditional services continue to serve a critical role. We're honored to host Hasan Fardan Al Fardan, the CEO of Al Fardan Exchange L.L.C., a pioneering financial institution in the UAE with roots stret...